As the locals like to say in the little village of San Cassiano deep in the Italian Dolomites:

“From here, if you go any further into the mountains, you'll be coming out the other side”.

Craggy peaks in formations unique to this mountain range, green alpine pastures and forested slopes fill your line of vision. Only the pleasant sound of cow bells can be heard and the word “picturesque” simply does not do it justice. For years this hidden corner of the Dolomites has been the summer vacation spot for wealthy Italians, Germans and Austrians but almost no English-speaking tourists have yet found it. Here on the Austro/Italian border we get the best of both worlds – style with efficiency, good pasta and great pastries, excellent wines and beer, delicious coffee with whipped cream on top!

HIKING
Quite simply, there is no better hiking in the world. Whether you want flat, rolling or incredibly challenging, the choice is there every single day. Stop at a simple rifugio for goulash soup and cold beer or put together a picnic at Fran's Store before leaving the village. You may just want to stroll in the morning for a scenic mile or maybe amble along the river after a long lunch. Or you might prefer to head up high into the most difficult heights and spend the day exerting yourself. We will have the guides, maps, directions, everything you need to make it happen at the level you like.

BIKING
If you're a very keen biker, then the road riding will give you an interesting challenge. But frankly, we think the mountain biking is the best solution in the Dolomites. We can all take a sort of mountain biking tutorial and then toss our bikes aboard the gondola (who would bike uphill when you can take the lift?) and ride for a few hours high up in the pastures and then back down the slopes to the hotel.

SPA
The spa, run by owner Daniella Steiner offers the full range of treatments – massage, facials, wraps, manicures, pedicures – in a beautiful area that opens onto the mountains. The saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, swimming pool and sun rooms are free to all but the Mud, Straw and Alpine Flowers Wrap followed by a Swedish massage is definitely worth trying.

COOKING
Chef Norbert Neiderkofler has great ambition. He worked under some of the world's best chefs in Germany, Austria, USA and France and he didn't come back to his hometown just to boil up spaghetti for the locals. The Hubertus Room earned a Michelin star, got the Tre Forchette (3 Forks) top ranking from Gambero Rosso and is one of the major reasons that people come to the area. There is a friendly warm feeling mixed with beautiful design and absolute efficiency. Norbert will happily gives us cooking lessons and keep us spots at his chef's table in the evening.

WW1 History
In 1915 Italy declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire and peace in the Dolomites was destroyed. For 4 long years the battles raged high in the mountain in almost unimaginable conditions. Tunnels were dug, passes were fortified and assaults on tiny ledges and peaks claimed countless lives. A fascinating museum has been created at the ruined fort of Tre Sassi and commentated hikes exist all around the Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi formations.

EXCURSIONS
The chic town of Cortina is just ½ hour down the road. Ortisei with its amazing wood carving ateliers is ¾ hour distant. Even Corvara and La Villa, only 10 minutes away have some amazing stores where local specialties such as down comforters or beautiful cottons can be purchased at low prices.

GOLF

The highest course in Europe is only 15 minutes away in Corvara. It is only 9 holes but lots of fun and quite challenging.

VIA FERRATA AND CLIMBING WALLS

Some among us will want to pretend that we're still 20 years old! There are a couple of good climbing walls around and even real climbing with ropes up at the Cinque Torri face. Another thrill can come via the via ferrata, really a system of iron spikes, ladders and footholds that take you out and over otherwise impassable territory. Quite breathtaking actually!

HOTEL
Our home in the Dolomites is the magnificent Hotel Rosa Alpina. It emphasizes light wood and the beautiful carving techniques of the region, fireplaces burn throughout, warm sitting areas abound and there is a general feeling of relaxed coziness. But this informal atmosphere does not mean roughing it! Everything to do with the hotel – attitude, style, level of service, spa, restaurants, bar – could not be of higher quality.

Every room has a breathtaking view and almost every room has a balcony from which to enjoy it. A quiet stream trickles behind the hotel and can be heard in the evening through the bedroom window. Days are warm but at night it gets cool and nothing is more pleasant than leaving the window wide open and crawling under the big individual down comforters.